By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged the federal and state governments to address challenges within Nigeria’s information ecosystem that restrict women’s access to public information.
The organisation stressed that meaningful progress for women can not be achieved if bureaucratic secrecy continues to shut them out of vital knowledge.
In a statement issued on Sunday to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), MRA Programme Officer, Ayomide Eweje, said access to information remains “a critical tool for women’s survival, empowerment and equality.”
According to her, information enables women to make informed decisions, claim their rights, and participate fully in social, economic, and political life.
She noted that improving access to information could significantly enhance the socio-economic status of women and enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Eweje explained that digital access and information tools provide women with opportunities for entrepreneurship, financial growth, and networking.
She added that access to reliable information helps women secure credit for small businesses, manage economic resources, and connect with markets.
She also pointed out that information networks can help bridge the economic gap faced by rural women who are often excluded from opportunities due to limited infrastructure and inadequate access to knowledge.
On the health front, she stressed that access to information enables women to make informed decisions about their bodies and wellbeing.
According to her, knowledge about reproductive health services empowers women to ensure safer childbirth and reduce maternal mortality, while awareness of modern family planning methods can help prevent unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections.
Eweje further emphasised that access to information is essential for women’s participation in democratic processes, as it allows them to engage in debates on socio-economic issues, demand accountability in public service delivery and make informed choices during elections.
She also highlighted the role of information in helping survivors of abuse understand how to report crimes, access medical care, and seek legal assistance.
However, she warned that the digital space is increasingly becoming hostile for women due to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, cyberbullying, and coordinated online attacks targeting female journalists and activists.
“These trends silence women’s voices and discourage many from participating in online discussions, thereby limiting their access to vital information,” she said.
Eweje, therefore, called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and State Governments to adopt measures that guarantee women’s right to information.
She also urged authorities to ensure the availability of gender-disaggregated data and enforce laws that protect women from digital harassment while promoting an open information environment.